Restaurants›Rusty Buckle Saloon›Root Beer Float Recipe

Root Beer Float Recipe

Name: Rusty Buckle Saloons ROOT BEER FLOAT Recipe
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 10 min
Yield: 1 servings
Ingredients: 3 scoops vanilla ice cream; 12 oz root beer (chilled); 2 tbsp whipped cream; 1 each maraschino cherry; 0.25 cups crushed ice (optional, for extra chill in glass); 1 each straw; 1 each long spoon

Inspired by Rusty Buckle Saloon

Time10m

Serves1

featuring creamy vanilla ice cream

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Ingredients

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Float Assembly

3 scoops vanilla ice cream12 oz root beer (chilled)2 tbsp whipped cream1 each maraschino cherry

Optional Garnish & Tools

1/4 cups crushed ice (optional, for extra chill in glass)1 each straw1 each long spoon

Method

Float Assembly

Chill glass (optional)

Place a tall glass in the freezer for 5–10 minutes or fill it with crushed ice for 1–2 minutes; discard the ice before building the float. This keeps the root beer from warming and reduces foam overflow.

Set the chilled glass on a stable surface. If using crushed ice, add the 1/4 cup to the bottom now and tap out any excess water so the ice doesn't dilute the drink.

Scoop ice cream

Using an ice cream scoop, add 2 rounded scoops of vanilla ice cream to the glass. For a taller float, use 3 scoops; leave space for the root beer to be poured without overflowing.

Pour root beer

Tilt the glass slightly and slowly pour 6 ounces of chilled root beer down the side of the glass to reduce immediate foaming. Wait 10–15 seconds for foam to settle, then pour the remaining 6 ounces slowly until the foam reaches just below the rim. Stop before it spills over.

Add final scoop

If you used 2 scoops initially and have room, add the remaining scoop of vanilla ice cream on top of the foam so it sits partially submerged and creates the classic rounded float top.

If foam rises too high, let it settle for a few seconds; do not press the ice cream down as it will increase foaming.

Garnish and serve

Top the float with 2 tablespoons of whipped cream and place a maraschino cherry on top. Insert a straw and a long spoon for eating and drinking. Serve immediately while cold and fizzy.

Cleanup & Tips

To minimize sticky residue, rinse the glass and utensils with warm water soon after finishing. If making multiple floats, have extra chilled root beer and scooped ice cream ready so assembly is quick.

Variations: substitute diet root beer or use chocolate or coffee ice cream for flavor twists. For an adult version, add 1/2 oz (15 ml) of spiced rum to the glass before pouring root beer.